The Great Pyramid of Khufu has baffled professional Egyptologists and everyday people for millennia, but architect Jean-Pierre Houdin has proposed what many feel is the most likely, and certainly the most sensible, theory about the construction of Khufu’s Pyramid to date. This week France-5 of France Télévision aired a new documentary on Jean-Pierre Houdin’s work called Khéops Révélé.

The documentary is in French, but there are numerous segments with Jean-Pierre and Bob Brier that are in English, and the 3D animations, of which there are many, are just fantastic. A good bit of Khéops Révélé can be viewed at this link to France 5. I am not certain if it is the documentary in full, but there is plenty there worth viewing. In addition to Khéops Révélé there are interactive 3D animations, driven by Dassault Systemes, with English versions. But even the French segments of the documentary are so well produced that you will have very little trouble following the story.

As support for Houdin’s work continues to gain momentum it is hoped that pressure will continue to build for allowing him to put his theories to the test. Thus far Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities has resisted proposals for even the least invasive forms of analysis, such as infrared thermography. General Secretary Zahi Hawass’ opinion has vacillated from open-minded support to dismissive. Increased media attention, support from the professional community, and growing public attention will hopefully force an endgame to what is looking more and more like a case of suppression of a well-founded but contrary theory.

The next installment of Hemienu to Houdin, Em Hotep!’s exclusive in-depth series exploring Jean-Pierre’s work, is nearing the rough-draft stage. In Part Two we will be looking in detail at the internal ramp theory and Jean-Pierre’s solution to the perplexing problem of navigating those 2.5 ton blocks, on sleds, around sharp right angle turns. Here is a hint: Herodotus had part of the story. Keep checking back with Em Hotep! for the rest!

4 comments so far

It is really fantastic presentation which flashes light on the mysterious pyramids and its construction, rather the strategy and perspective. It is said that idol is a thing through which an ideal is perceived.
This is very big.

Thank you for participating in the discussion! I have heard that the presentations were fantastic. I have not seen the presentation, but I have seen the National Geographic special with Jean-Pierre and Bob Brier. But I just received in the mail (from Jean-Pierre himself) the Kheops Revele DVD, with the 3D companion, 3D glasses included! I have not viewed it yet, I just got it yesterday, but I am looking forward to it. I will be doing a review of it here on Em.

I understand from M. Houdin that you are involved in work on sea forts? Archaeological, I take it? Sounds like a very interesting line of work. I also understand you have a very special occasion coming up on the thirteenth of this month?

Thanks for dropping in! I have been following your blog for some time now, its good to see you checking us out over here.

Jean-Pierre’s treatment of the Grand Gallery was the first thing that made me really sit up and pay attention. The internal ramp theory made sense and certainly addresses the problems of space and logistics, but his theory of the Grand Gallery is one of the best examples of reverse engineering I have ever seen. Everything fits perfectly.

I generally try to at least give the appearance of journalistic detachment, but in the case of Jean-Pierre’s work on Khufu’s Pyramid, I guess it’s pretty obvious I have drunk the proverbial Kool-Aid.

I think the evidence is there to be found, and Jean-Pierre has proposed some very non-invasive means of strengthening his case. Unfortunately, his biggest obstacle is Dr. Hawass himself, who can be rather capricious in granting access. A lawyer is allowed to go digging for Cleopatra, but an architect can’t climb the side of a pyramid and peek inside a hole?